The Translocator Protein (TSPO) As A Novel Target For The Treatment Of Alzheimers Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$629,260.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent dementia, characterized by progressive loss of memory. An estimated 230,000 Australians currently suffer from AD, causing a huge impact on their families and carers, as well as on national finances. The present therapies are very limited, and there is no cure. Thus, there is a need for novel treatment strategies. We have developed novel drugs that represent an innovative approach to the treatment of AD.
Lipid Rafts, Amyloid Neurotoxicity And Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,267.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease is the major cause of dementia in the elderly. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease exhibit a slow decline in cognition which usually results in prolonged institutionalisation. This creates an enormous burden on society. The project aims to identify mechanisms which cause Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, it will examine how a component of the brain, known as the amyloid protein, contributes to nerve cell degeneration. It is hoped that by identifying these mechanisms, new ta ....Alzheimer's disease is the major cause of dementia in the elderly. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease exhibit a slow decline in cognition which usually results in prolonged institutionalisation. This creates an enormous burden on society. The project aims to identify mechanisms which cause Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, it will examine how a component of the brain, known as the amyloid protein, contributes to nerve cell degeneration. It is hoped that by identifying these mechanisms, new targets for drug development will be found.Read moreRead less
How Alzheimers-associated Cytoskeletal Inclusions Form Road Blocks And Impair Trafficking In Neurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,181.00
Summary
This research is aimed at delineating basic mechanisms of nerve cell dysfunction relevant to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias with the goal of achieving a positive impact into understanding the causes of these diseases. The outcomes of the project will identify pathways involved in generating pathological changes in nerve cells and will therefore facilitate the development of targeted therapies, ultimately improving the outlook for Alzheimer's patients and the community.
Regulation Of The Beta-secretase (BACE1) By Glycosaminoglycans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,212.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Because of the prolonged institutionalisation of patients, it is a major health care burden. This project aims to develop novel drugs which can treat Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting production of the protein which causes the neurodegeneration.
Cholinergic Abnormalities In Alzheimer's Disease: Identification Of Novel Therapeutic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,500.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to develop new drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a disease of ageing commonly associated with memory loss. The disease is caused by the build up of amyloid protein in the brain. However, it is not known how amyloid protein causes degeneration of normal brain function. Our previous studies have shown that amyloid protein targets two components which are important for normal brain function. These components are 1) acetylcholinesterase ....The aim of this project is to develop new drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a disease of ageing commonly associated with memory loss. The disease is caused by the build up of amyloid protein in the brain. However, it is not known how amyloid protein causes degeneration of normal brain function. Our previous studies have shown that amyloid protein targets two components which are important for normal brain function. These components are 1) acetylcholinesterase and 2) nicotinic receptors, which are known to be important for memory. The aim of this application is to identify the mechanisms by which amyloid protein targets acetylcholinesterase and nicotinic receptors and to design inhibitors of this interaction which may ultimately provide a platform for future drug development.Read moreRead less
The Cystine Glutamate Antiporter And Classical Glutamate Transporters In Normal And Pathological Brains And Retinae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,000.00
Summary
This project will examine the role of a system that transports a toxic neurotransmitter, glutamate out of cells where it is relatively harmless, into the space surrounding nerve cells where it can be highly toxic. Previous models for the aberrant release of glutamate under pathological conditions such as strokes, have relied on the notion that other specialised glutamate transporters which normally work to remove glutamate from the space surrounding nerve cells, actually reverse their direction ....This project will examine the role of a system that transports a toxic neurotransmitter, glutamate out of cells where it is relatively harmless, into the space surrounding nerve cells where it can be highly toxic. Previous models for the aberrant release of glutamate under pathological conditions such as strokes, have relied on the notion that other specialised glutamate transporters which normally work to remove glutamate from the space surrounding nerve cells, actually reverse their direction of action and release glutamate. The current study investigates a transport system (called the cystine-glutamate antiporter) where the normal direction of action is to release glutamate. This system has been overlooked despite evidence that it could be involved in releasing glutamate and thus contribute to the death of nerve cells in a variety of human pathologies including glaucoma of the eye, epilepsy, and brain damage that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, such as after a heart attack. This study examines both human tissues and animal models of disease states to determine if similar transport systems are present and if the cystine-glutamate antiporter might contribute to human nervous diseases. The function and distribution of the cystine-glutamate antiporter will be compared with classical transporters, under normal and pathological conditions, including situations where we have shown that it is possible to experimentally perturb normal glutamate transporter expression.Read moreRead less
PATHOGENESIS OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS: MECHANISM OF TAU PATHOLOGY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,983.00
Summary
A protein called tau has an essential role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and related dementias. We have developed novel transgenic models, which allow us to treat the mice and to abrogate the clinical symptoms. As we have dissected the underlying molecular mechanisms, our ultimate goal is to develop a treatment approach based on these mechanisms and thereby reduce the socio-economic burden of these debilitating diseases.